There are hundreds of articles on the internet that will tell you how to choose the best cosmetics. Our goal here is a little different – to honestly and openly guide you through the pitfalls we ourselves have encountered in this process.
That is why we looked at it from all sides and arranged some of the important “don’t-do-this” things that you should keep in mind when choosing the products you will entrust with the care of your skin:
Do not believe that there is a universal “best” brand or product.
It simply cannot exist – because each of our skin is unique and has its own, different needs from others. Therefore, if you come across a brand claiming to be “the best,” do not take it at face value.
Even if it is clarified that it concerns a leading position in a certain category, still approach with caution – it is probably pure statistics, to which you should add some rationality and simple math.
For example, if it is claimed that a company study involved 100 people with acne and 55 of them stated they prefer the said brand, would you trust such a small sample? Compare the number even just with the number of your friends on Facebook and consider whether this is a sufficient basis to trust the brand. In any case, it is worth examining the data and information more carefully.
Do not blindly trust recommendations
How often have you liked something on a model but were fully aware that it would not look the same on you? The same goes for cosmetics. Your skin, like the shapes and measurements of your body, carries your unique gene and has its own “character”, which you know best.
Therefore, keep your ears and eyes open for new brands, formulas, and ingredients in cosmetics, recommended (or openly advertised) by your favorite beauty influencer, trusted cosmetologist, or friend, but do your own research. Today you can find everything in many ways – take advantage of the range of opinions and information to be sure of your informed choice.
If you have a specific case, even if you are a little worried, it is best to seek professional advice and turn to the one who will truly take responsibility for their recommendation – you know, called a “dermatologist.” And since it is good to carry a pinch of caution whenever it comes to our skin – do not hesitate to test before buying the recommended products. Most brands offer testers or samples of their main products – even in mini sizes, they are enough to make sure that your skin tolerates them well.
Do not deceive yourself
The correct starting point is only one – your own skin! For this purpose, precisely determine your skin type, with which nature and genes have gifted you, regardless of which part you like more or less.
In general terms, the main skin types are a few:
- oily
- combination
- normal
- dry.
However, this is like having only one letter instead of a full first name, middle name, and last name. Your skin may be oily, prone to forming pus-filled pimples, with many blackheads and enlarged pores, red spots, etc. But it can also be oily, without pimples, sensitive, and with uneven tone. We assure you, caring for them is completely different, and the label "oily skin" is too narrow to encompass all the features of your unique package.
That is why before you start searching, wash your face, stand in front of a mirror in good daylight, and describe everything you see and feel: does your skin shine soon after cleansing or do you feel tightness in some areas?
Do you clearly see the pores or are there small flakes and dust? And blackheads? If you have pimples – what kind are they: pus-filled, subcutaneous, or small and white? Fine lines or already clearly defined wrinkles – in which area are they? Does your skin easily become red, do you often get rashes when using cosmetic products or makeup?
This exercise, although not particularly flattering to your ego, will give you valuable information about your skin type and its current condition – you will know for sure where you are starting from and in which direction to continue the journey.
Don’t look for a product, look for a routine
Even if you find the perfect night cream for you, for example, you will first need to cleanse the skin from makeup, sebum, dust, and dirt, and only then apply it. However, it is not suitable for the eye area – therefore, you will also need a product for the eye contour. During the day, it is good to use a lighter formula, preferably with a sun protection factor… This is exactly what "routine" means – choosing according to the area, need, and time.
If you are a beginner in this field, don’t risk randomly combining products from different brands or even from different series of the same manufacturer. In cosmetics, 2+2 is not always 4!
When you apply different formulas to your face, their ingredients interact both with each other and with the skin itself. This means there is always a risk of an unpleasant surprise – the products neutralizing each other or even causing an allergic reaction.
Therefore, at least in the beginning, play it safe and stick to a routine within the same series/brand. Once you gain experience, you can allow yourself to experiment more boldly.
Remember, "less is more"
This advice aims to put brakes on the previous one – look for a complete routine, but don’t go to extremes. Using many cosmetic products simultaneously stresses the skin and harms it – this is how the term "cosmetic acne" (pimples caused by excessive use of cosmetics and makeup) appeared in dermatology.
Stick to a minimalist routine or generally speaking – you need no more than one product of each type:
-
cleansing – with or without abrasive particles (scrub)
-
hydrating – you can safely choose one containing sun protection
-
therapeutic – you need it if you are fighting a specific dermatological problem or require special care, for example, a chemical peel for home use
-
zonal – for specific areas such as the eye contour or neck/decollete.
Do not put all cosmetic products under one common denominator
You may know that the so-called "white cosmetics" (skin care – skincare) also have an internal classification based on their purpose. The most important specification is actually the composition of the products – what is contained in the formulas and in what concentration.
Medical cosmetics, also called "dermocosmetics" are those usually prescribed by a dermatologist as a standalone or complementary medication therapy. They contain a special category of substances called "active ingredients", whose role is to address a specific problem. These types of products are not universal and are not recommended for mass use by everyone.
We add to the topic with a golden rule for correctly reading information from labels: it is not necessary to Google all the listed ingredients – focus on the first 5! International standards require ingredients to be listed in descending order by volume weight.
This means that the first 5 make up at least 80% of the product you are buying. If among them there is a substance with a high allergic potential, think carefully whether the risk is worth it. And conversely – if you are looking for a specific ingredient and it is far back in the list, then you can be quite sure that its concentration is low and you will hardly soon get the desired effect from using the product.
Do not necessarily look for the lowest price
As cliché as it sounds, quality has its price, and it is not low. Consider whether you want to compromise exactly on the care of your skin – you have it for life!
It must be acknowledged that in the price of a cosmetic product, besides production costs, there are also quite a few additional expenses, which we will not discuss here. However, this applies both to budget brands and to more expensive ones – dermocosmetics and selective cosmetics. The huge price difference is most often due to the active ingredients used, their quality, and concentration.
We strongly want to emphasize this – it is not important how many ingredients a product has, but in what concentration those that really work on the skin are included. It is no coincidence that effective ingredients also have their high value – and this applies beyond cosmetics! Think about it the next time you decide to buy a face cream just because it is cheap or smells nice.
Your choice should be motivated by the following criteria:
- first from the quality of the product
- second – from the needs of your skin
- third – from the active ingredients in it
- and finally – from the price.
Do not underestimate the fact that compromising on price is at the expense of your skin, which will absorb these substances day after day, and it is very likely to turn them… into problems.
It is reasonable to ask – does a higher price guarantee impeccable quality and effectiveness? Guarantee – no. Prerequisite – yes.
Do not expect miracles
Be realistic – no matter how well you have chosen your cosmetics, it is not a magic wand that will give you a completely new and flawless skin, and immediately at that. However, it can certainly significantly improve its condition, keep it in an optimally healthy, fresh, and beautiful state – and this only on the condition that you apply the products correctly and give them enough time to work.
We can continue this list with more "no's," each of which will save you time and money while searching for the best – for you – cosmetics. If we had to oppose all of them with a single "yes," we would immediately say:
Yes! Love your skin and take care of it every day, because its health is a guarantee of your beauty!
The (most) candid list of "no's" when choosing cosmetics
There are hundreds of articles on the internet that will tell you how to choose the best cosmetics. Our goal here is a little different – to honestly and openly guide you through the pitfalls we ourselves have encountered in this process.
That is why we looked at it from all sides and arranged some of the important “don’t-do-this” things that you should keep in mind when choosing the products you will entrust with the care of your skin:
Do not believe that there is a universal “best” brand or product.
It simply cannot exist – because each of our skin is unique and has its own, different needs from others. Therefore, if you come across a brand claiming to be “the best,” do not take it at face value.
Even if it is clarified that it concerns a leading position in a certain category, still approach with caution – it is probably pure statistics, to which you should add some rationality and simple math.
For example, if it is claimed that a company study involved 100 people with acne and 55 of them stated they prefer the said brand, would you trust such a small sample? Compare the number even just with the number of your friends on Facebook and consider whether this is a sufficient basis to trust the brand. In any case, it is worth examining the data and information more carefully.
Do not blindly trust recommendations
How often have you liked something on a model but were fully aware that it would not look the same on you? The same goes for cosmetics. Your skin, like the shapes and measurements of your body, carries your unique gene and has its own “character”, which you know best.
Therefore, keep your ears and eyes open for new brands, formulas, and ingredients in cosmetics, recommended (or openly advertised) by your favorite beauty influencer, trusted cosmetologist, or friend, but do your own research. Today you can find everything in many ways – take advantage of the range of opinions and information to be sure of your informed choice.
If you have a specific case, even if you are a little worried, it is best to seek professional advice and turn to the one who will truly take responsibility for their recommendation – you know, called a “dermatologist.” And since it is good to carry a pinch of caution whenever it comes to our skin – do not hesitate to test before buying the recommended products. Most brands offer testers or samples of their main products – even in mini sizes, they are enough to make sure that your skin tolerates them well.
Do not deceive yourself
The correct starting point is only one – your own skin! For this purpose, precisely determine your skin type, with which nature and genes have gifted you, regardless of which part you like more or less.
In general terms, the main skin types are a few:
However, this is like having only one letter instead of a full first name, middle name, and last name. Your skin may be oily, prone to forming pus-filled pimples, with many blackheads and enlarged pores, red spots, etc. But it can also be oily, without pimples, sensitive, and with uneven tone. We assure you, caring for them is completely different, and the label "oily skin" is too narrow to encompass all the features of your unique package.
That is why before you start searching, wash your face, stand in front of a mirror in good daylight, and describe everything you see and feel: does your skin shine soon after cleansing or do you feel tightness in some areas?
Do you clearly see the pores or are there small flakes and dust? And blackheads? If you have pimples – what kind are they: pus-filled, subcutaneous, or small and white? Fine lines or already clearly defined wrinkles – in which area are they? Does your skin easily become red, do you often get rashes when using cosmetic products or makeup?
This exercise, although not particularly flattering to your ego, will give you valuable information about your skin type and its current condition – you will know for sure where you are starting from and in which direction to continue the journey.
Don’t look for a product, look for a routine
Even if you find the perfect night cream for you, for example, you will first need to cleanse the skin from makeup, sebum, dust, and dirt, and only then apply it. However, it is not suitable for the eye area – therefore, you will also need a product for the eye contour. During the day, it is good to use a lighter formula, preferably with a sun protection factor… This is exactly what "routine" means – choosing according to the area, need, and time.
If you are a beginner in this field, don’t risk randomly combining products from different brands or even from different series of the same manufacturer. In cosmetics, 2+2 is not always 4!
When you apply different formulas to your face, their ingredients interact both with each other and with the skin itself. This means there is always a risk of an unpleasant surprise – the products neutralizing each other or even causing an allergic reaction.
Therefore, at least in the beginning, play it safe and stick to a routine within the same series/brand. Once you gain experience, you can allow yourself to experiment more boldly.
Remember, "less is more"
This advice aims to put brakes on the previous one – look for a complete routine, but don’t go to extremes. Using many cosmetic products simultaneously stresses the skin and harms it – this is how the term "cosmetic acne" (pimples caused by excessive use of cosmetics and makeup) appeared in dermatology.
Stick to a minimalist routine or generally speaking – you need no more than one product of each type:
Do not put all cosmetic products under one common denominator
You may know that the so-called "white cosmetics" (skin care – skincare) also have an internal classification based on their purpose. The most important specification is actually the composition of the products – what is contained in the formulas and in what concentration.
Medical cosmetics, also called "dermocosmetics" are those usually prescribed by a dermatologist as a standalone or complementary medication therapy. They contain a special category of substances called "active ingredients", whose role is to address a specific problem. These types of products are not universal and are not recommended for mass use by everyone.
We add to the topic with a golden rule for correctly reading information from labels: it is not necessary to Google all the listed ingredients – focus on the first 5! International standards require ingredients to be listed in descending order by volume weight.
This means that the first 5 make up at least 80% of the product you are buying. If among them there is a substance with a high allergic potential, think carefully whether the risk is worth it. And conversely – if you are looking for a specific ingredient and it is far back in the list, then you can be quite sure that its concentration is low and you will hardly soon get the desired effect from using the product.
Do not necessarily look for the lowest price
As cliché as it sounds, quality has its price, and it is not low. Consider whether you want to compromise exactly on the care of your skin – you have it for life!
It must be acknowledged that in the price of a cosmetic product, besides production costs, there are also quite a few additional expenses, which we will not discuss here. However, this applies both to budget brands and to more expensive ones – dermocosmetics and selective cosmetics. The huge price difference is most often due to the active ingredients used, their quality, and concentration.
We strongly want to emphasize this – it is not important how many ingredients a product has, but in what concentration those that really work on the skin are included. It is no coincidence that effective ingredients also have their high value – and this applies beyond cosmetics! Think about it the next time you decide to buy a face cream just because it is cheap or smells nice.
Your choice should be motivated by the following criteria:
Do not underestimate the fact that compromising on price is at the expense of your skin, which will absorb these substances day after day, and it is very likely to turn them… into problems.
It is reasonable to ask – does a higher price guarantee impeccable quality and effectiveness? Guarantee – no. Prerequisite – yes.
Do not expect miracles
Be realistic – no matter how well you have chosen your cosmetics, it is not a magic wand that will give you a completely new and flawless skin, and immediately at that. However, it can certainly significantly improve its condition, keep it in an optimally healthy, fresh, and beautiful state – and this only on the condition that you apply the products correctly and give them enough time to work.
We can continue this list with more "no's," each of which will save you time and money while searching for the best – for you – cosmetics. If we had to oppose all of them with a single "yes," we would immediately say:
Yes! Love your skin and take care of it every day, because its health is a guarantee of your beauty!